The Daily ITK Discussion Thread 16th May 2019

[SpartanSpur]

The goat is one cruel farmyard animal. Way to rub salt in the wound!

Don't even want to think about Poch leaving!

 

[Haddock]

So when we're all hanging our heads this is the ITK you pass on?

Just kidding. The more you know I guess. I've come to terms with Eriksen leaving. We need to shake things up and create a new era of young players. Pochettino - Germany snippet I don't get. I suppose Bayern have Pochettino as a long term option, but so do probably a handful of other top clubs.

 

[archiewasking]

Eriksen has been playing like he's gone for months anyway. If he's not committed, fine, get him gone, don't care where, just not PL. Honestly, I love MoPo, but the same goes for him. He took on a five year project, if he's not completely committed, how does he sell phase 2 to potential new signings? The big minus if he walks is we then have to find a successor, and the rebuild and convincing present squad members to stay as well as recruiting others who are sold on working with MoPo. Thanks for the ITK, though, Goat. Absolutely not what I wanted to read after last night though. But no-one, no-one is bigger than the club.

 

[arunspurs]

I cannot see Poch leaving this season, unless he is fucked over in transfers by Levy. I can't see Bayern as a enticing prospect there is simply no challenge for a coach/manager like him. If anything, Dortmund would suit him perfectly.

 

[L-man]

Thanks Goat, you fucking stinking little ****

 

[hellava_tough]

Eriksen leaving is just one of those things.

Every team that wants to have sustained success has to be freshening up the squad every couple of seasons, especially if certain players' performances have dropped somewhat.

Fergie used to do it regularly and no one was 'too big' to be sold in his mind.

Just need to get a good replacement in; who knows, this time next year we may have forgotten about Eriksen and be singing the praises of Lo Celso

That's football!!

 

[Yiddo100]

Well that was a journey, let’s hope for some positive ITK over the summer?

Well that died a quick death

 

[jolegend]

Really not bothered about Eriksen leaving. Hasn’t stepped up when it matters. He will be found out at Madrid.

 

[leray]

Kovac is not a world beater and he does have opposition inside Bayern (Rummenigge), but it's Hoeness that pulls all the strings. And he would not fire Kovac after improving their record (he won the domestic double, last year Bayern have only won the league).

But Bayern would be stupid not to keep in touch with Pochettino's entourage. Next season-ish they might be in for a revolution in their squad. Lewandowski, though still a beast and a physical monster, is 31 this year. Hummels is also 31 years old and Muller hits 30.

When it comes to creating projects, there might be no one better than Poch. Everybody in Europe knows this.

EDIT: But Bayern, although they now pay a lot of money for players, might not pay Levy for Pochettino 30 mil euros or more. Maybe next season Kovac will prove his worth or Ten Hag (another strong candidate for Bayern) will keep Ajax among the best in Europe.

 

[nailsy]

I'm not going to worry about Poch moving to Germany unless Bayern sack they're manager. I'm just pleased that the ITK didn't mention Italy as a possible destination.

If Eriksen has sold his house does that mean that a transfer has already been agreed?

 

[Darth Vega]

Not worried about Poch. Don't think we'd be going so hard on N'dombele or Lo Celso if we weren't confident he was going to be here next season.

 

[arunspurs]

I'm not going to worry about Poch moving to Germany unless Bayern sack they're manager. I'm just pleased that the ITK didn't mention Italy as a possible destination.

If Eriksen has sold his house does that mean that a transfer has already been agreed?

Very much possible. Its no surprise that Eriksen wants Madrid & going by reports, Zidane also wants Eriksen. Who knows, at board level, we could have had a agreement to sell him, as long as they don't disturb us with transfer stories through Marca in lead up to final. I wont be surprised if Spanish media starts running Eriksen rumors from this week.

 

[easley91]

I have never been worried about the prospect of Poch leaving. Why? Because I firmly believe he wants to fulfill his dream and lift a trophy with us. Has completed the first five year project, now it's about winning trophies.

 

[teok]

No surprise with eriksen. I wish him the best as I think nobody can really resist the call/money of madrid. Bit of a gut punch on the poch stuff though, I really expected him to stay at least another 1-2 seasons.

 

[irradiation]

Maybe it’s just the heartbreak from last night speaking, but I agree with Archie. If we want to be a top club, we cannot afford the likes of Madrid, Juventus or Bayern poaching our talent, be it the players or our coaching staff.

I’ve been holding on to on Ali Z’s update about being able to negotiate with Eriksen should we fail to agree with Madrid on price, but with the Goat’s recent update, maybe it’s time to be ruthless. Even if he signs a contract waiting for a better opportunity to leave, then let him go. If Toby is willing to let himself be sniffed up by the likes of United and is unwilling to take up that offer AliZ mentioned in his ITK, let him go too. If Poch cannot give a commitment to the next five years of the project beyond the letter of his contract, then as awful and painful as that process might be, we might be better off cutting our losses.

I’m impressed with how Mane and Liverpool have handled their Madrid rumors: no weaseling with words, just a straight “I’m happy here.” If we really have any intent to go through with winning the EPL/UCL, we have to start acting like a big club and get people who can say that sort of statement categorically and deliver that commitment on and off the pitch.

With all that said, Levy needs to do something to inspire that commitment. While the ITK noise has been encouraging so far, we’ve heard the same noise over the past two transfer windows. Players need to see that we’re willing to reward them like a top club for delivering and the manager needs a reassurance that he won’t be left so unsupported in the transfer market should weaknesses in the squad be exposed over the season.

Again, maybe it’s just last night speaking but I’m done with being the bridesmaid in the EPL and now the Champions League. We’ve had the stadium project as an excuse to hide behind but no longer. Enough is enough.

 

[archiewasking]

Very much possible. Its no surprise that Eriksen wants Madrid & going by reports, Zidane also wants Eriksen. Who knows, at board level, we could have had a agreement to sell him, as long as they don't disturb us with transfer stories through Marca in lead up to final. I wont be surprised if Spanish media starts running Eriksen rumors from this week.

Just leave him there. Bring the money back instead.

 

[arunspurs]

I would love to see a big signing announced within next week or two. Its way too optimistic, I know. But after a big final loss, if there is something club could give fans as a boost and change the narrative, its a signing to show that club is moving forward. Timing is right for personnel change in squad in multiple areas. Poch can be at the helm of it & influencing it. But it comes down to Levy to execute what Poch & staff have in their mind

 

[Johnny J]

Eriksen is very obviously gone and honestly I think he checked out mentally months ago. He's been a shadow of his true self. I just hope we totally revamp our midfield and attack, because too often this season we look absolutely turgid going forward.

 

[absolute bobbins]

Poch isn’t leaving for Germany this summer. It would totally go against his character.

 

[nailsy]

By the way it was mentioned in the match thread that the ITKs have been holding back info until after the game so we might see a few updates this week.